Monterey Automotive Week is all the time stuffed with uncommon automobiles and surprises, however few drew extra double-takes this 12 months than the Bovensiepen Zagato. We had the possibility to see it up shut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, and once more on the Idea Garden at Pebble Seaside, capturing a brand new set of pictures of the automobile’s first American outing.
That is the third time the Bovensiepen brothers have proven their new creation, after its world premiere at Fuorio Concorso in Could and its run on the Goodwood Competition of Pace in July. Seeing it underneath the California solar, although, gave us a recent perspective on the proportions, the detailing, and the way in which Zagato’s design interacts with the carbon bodywork.
From ALPINA to Bovensiepen Vehicle
BMW’s acquisition of the ALPINA title meant the Bovensiepen household may not use the model they’d constructed for many years. Somewhat than cease, Andreas and Florian Bovensiepen launched Bovensiepen Vehicle. Their first automobile, developed with Zagato, is a carbon-bodied coupe constructed on BMW’s M4 Convertible platform. It marks a transparent continuation of the household’s custom in Buchloe — automobiles that mix efficiency upgrades with painstaking craftsmanship — however underneath a brand new title.
Why a Convertible Base Makes Sense
Our pictures spotlight the Zagato’s defining function: the double-bubble carbon roof that flows into the rear glass. This design was solely attainable as a result of the crew began with an M4 Convertible (G83 LCI), which allowed them to eradicate the B-pillar altogether. From a distance, it seems like a bespoke coupe; underneath the pores and skin, it’s technically a hardtop cabriolet with a wholly new physique. Despite the fact that the unique construction is retained for security and homologation, greater than 400 new components have been developed. The carbon pores and skin, together with a number of light-weight chassis modifications, shaves about 110 kilos in comparison with the donor M4 Convertible.
Efficiency Upgrades
Beneath the carbon hood, the Zagato makes use of BMW’s S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six, tuned nicely past the inventory M4. A redesigned consumption and exhaust system, new turbos, and a 22 kg titanium Akrapovič exhaust push output to 611 hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft). That interprets to 0–100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and a prime velocity above 300 km/h (186 mph). Suspension tuning was dealt with in Buchloe in collaboration with Bilstein, leading to a customized Damptronic setup that provides Consolation, Sport, and Sport Plus modes — retaining with the Bovensiepen motto, “Effective Driving.”
Longer Than A BMW M8 Coupe
Up shut at The Quail, the Zagato’s dimension is extra obvious. At almost 5 meters lengthy, it’s really longer than a BMW M8 Coupe by 5 centimeters. The headlights, taken from the 4 Collection, are partially lined and sit decrease and additional ahead, giving the automobile a sharper face. The rear haunches have a extra pronounced character line than the donor automobile, whereas ALPINA-inspired wheels give a delicate nod to the household’s historical past.
Regardless of the added size, it doesn’t really feel outsized in particular person. If something, the steadiness of the proportions makes the Zagato look tighter and extra purposeful than an M4.
Cabin Craftsmanship
Inside, it’s enterprise as typical for Buchloe: Lavalina leather-based dominates. Masking almost each floor, the method calls for 130 hours of labor, 390 particular person cuttings, and 1,800 meters of thread. Prospects can select from 16 leather-based shades, 45 Alcantara choices, or fee absolutely bespoke designs.
The automobile we photographed at Pebble Seaside featured a brown-and-beige cabin paired with the Carbon Package deal, whereas the Lake Como prototype used a putting blue inside. Each present the vary of customization Bovensiepen is keen to ship.
Exclusivity and Timeline
Every Bovensiepen Zagato requires over 250 hours of hand meeting, and annual manufacturing shall be capped within the low a whole lot. Homologation for the U.S. and Japan continues to be pending, so the ultimate quantity could also be even smaller. Pricing is predicted to fall between €400,000 and €500,000, and the primary buyer deliveries are deliberate for mid-2026.
Seeing the Bovensiepen Zagato on American soil for the primary time was a reminder that whereas the ALPINA title is now BMW’s, the household behind it continues to construct automobiles in Buchloe. This coupe doesn’t cover its BMW roots, nevertheless it reframes them — with a full carbon physique, a extra highly effective S58 engine, and an inside completed to a regular you received’t discover on the M4 order sheet.
